Evelyn Olivia's 1 year letter (WARNING:picture overload!!)

EVELYN, 

You are already a one year old.  Your first year flew by...somewhat in a fog.  You have been an AMAZING baby.  You slept like a champ, you are pretty laid back, you are joyful.  You have been such a blessing to our lives and to our family.  I will never forget the moment I first saw you.  It was a moment of pure bliss.  You were as beautiful as could be.  You were healthy and chunky.  The perfect combination.  You were a healthy eater (and still are).  You struggled with getting your sugars down the first day and into the next morning.  You had to get your feet pricked so many times and my heart broke for you.  Finally, those sugars regulated and then you had a bit of jaundice, but that quickly subsided and you were, otherwise, very healthy.  You were almost a ten pounder.  And I loved every ounce, every wrinkle and every roll of you.  This was also my birthday.  By far, the best, most memorable birthday in my 34 years.  I am honored that I get to share that day with you.  

And then, you got to meet your sisters for the first time.  And what an unforgettable moment that was.  Talk about feeling God's love and blessing just saturating me.  As I watched you and your two precious sisters, I felt so proud and, yet, so humble at the same time.  I couldn't believe God had given me the desires of my heart in such an incredible way.  I couldn't believe He loved me that much to bless me with these three beautiful, healthy gifts.  

Then we brought you home and I remember being so ready to do this!  I couldn't wait to start living the life of a family of 5.  I couldn't wait to get you home and for life to begin getting back to normal.  I remember being so thankful I wasn't pregnant anymore.  I remember never letting my eyes look at anything other than you on the whole ride home.  I also remember being exhausted and letting all that was about to happen sink in.  When we got home the girls were thrilled.  We tried to get back to a normal schedule that very day.  I distinctly recall the girls  waking up from their naps and screaming and pushing each other away from me because everyone wanted mommy and I remember feeling so overwhelmed, but so content in that moment.

Not long after you got home, our friend, Kelly, came over and took amazing pictures of you.  You did a great job and cooperated most of the time, expect when it was time for a bottle.

 Then life from that week on was a whirlwind.  So many things happened this year and I really didn't do that great of a job getting it all down in writing.  But here are some parts of that year first year of yours.

This was me and you at Easter.  You and your sisters had matching dresses, all in different colors.  You will benefit from that because those other cute dresses will get passed down to you.  

Here, you are just so cute.  

 You got to go to the Riverbanks zoo which is an annual thing we do.  This giraffe was very curious about you and actually gave your sister, Ava, a big smooch.  💋

 You use to love swinging in the swing.  It was a great thing for you and for me.

 Spending time with your sisters is something you typically enjoy.  You like being a part of their fun and games.

 This was the first successful tummy time.  And by successful, I mean you actually didn't scream and fuss during the time.

 My first Mother's Day with you as a part of it.

 Pretty blue eyes!

 You still love to bounce in this thing.  You still will fall asleep in it if you are exhausted.

 Bath times are  a time of pure enjoyment for you. And who could resist that little chunky body in that baby towel?

 This is your first month pictures and, of course, your sisters had to get in on the action.

 This is one of my favorite pictures of you.  Look at how sweet you look.  And the best part is, you really are that sweet!

Sleeping babies are the most precious things ever!

 This was at the Memorial Day Parade in Mint Hill.

 One day we went walking with Mimi at the park.

 I loved to put you in cute little hats.

 I remember when you first started smiling and I could never get a picture of it in time.  As soon as you started smiling a lot, I couldn't stop trying to capture it.

 Your cry face was (and is) pitiful.

You got to go to the pool for the first time with your aunt Kelly and all your cousins.  You didn't seem to be a big fan of the cold water.

 You loved your first time on the swing.

 You began crawling and you were instant busybody.

 You traveled to your first apple orchard.

 You use to sleep like this.  You don't anymore.  You are either on your belly or your side most of the time.

 I just thought you were cute in this hat.

 That smile.

 I love this smile, too.  You look like a little rascal.

 I loved when you were a little older and I could get you to sleep on me.

At one of your well visits.

 Riding in the wagon for the first time, which you really enjoy.

Headbands...you despise!

Just a beautiful little lady.

This was when you started sitting up by yourself.

Always so happy and content.

You enjoyed being hauled around in the Ergo baby.

We were at Matthews Alive in these pictures.  You had a good time just hanging out.

Another well visit.

In your one hand is your beloved horsey.  You carry that thing with you wherever you go.

Is that a headband on your head?

Love this picture Kelly took.

You were a "bee-utiful" bumblebee.

 You love to play peek-a-boo.

 You had a great time at Disney World.

You look like a giant in this picture.  You actually slept soundly at Disney World in the strollers.

Such a happy girl.

You started drinking from a cup some on this day.

And what a great time you had at the park.

There is just so much to love about you.  I am so thankful for you.  You have been such a joy to have by my side this year.  You have become such a companion of mine and I just truly love everything about you.

What a year it has been.  I can't wait to see all the amazing and incredible ways God is gong to use in this world.  I know He will use you mightily.

Happy First Birthday, sweet Evelyn Olivia!!!!
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New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions Renewal

I am anxiously awaiting a new book I ordered called My One Word.  While I have been waiting I have been thinking about what my new word could be and these were the words  that were thrown around in my head.  I wish I could focus on every one of them this year because they were being tossed around up there for a reason.  But, I don't do well when I try to do more than one thing at a time, so I think finding "my one word" will be a good idea for me this new year.  I still have no idea what I will narrow it down to, but I look forward to doing the study and coming up with "my one word".  Maybe I should add straight-forward to since I can get so wordy.

Anyway,  I decided that there were some other things I want to do this year.
1) Get back on track with Weight Watchers- When your 4 year old daughter comes up to you today and jiggles your "fat belly" (her words) then you know you have had a little too much indulgence the month of December and need to tone it down and get back on track.  To be honest, I didn't count points all month and it has taken a toll.  I don't think I have actually counted points or watched what I was eating since Halloween (but I digress).  So, I want to get back on it.  I feel better about myself and what we are eating as a whole when I am putting my all into it.

2) Graciousness (I need to add that to my list up there)- I want to be better at extending grace to others.  I am super hard on everyone.  I certainly can be condescending and judgmental.  Lets just say, you all should be super relieved I am not God, and therefore, I am not the judge.  "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" Colossians 4:6

3) Choose life-giving words- I want loving words to pour out of me.  I want the words of God to come out of me.  I want THE WORD to easily flow out of my mouth.  I do not want to cause hurt or harm by the things I say.  I want to encourage and uplift others.
"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 

4)Work on not gossiping-this really could be thrown up there with #2 and #3 but this is a specific thing I need to work on.  I tend to gossip.  It is a real struggle of mine.  I hate it that I struggle with it and I hate it even more when I let my sinful nature do its thing.  So, I would like to say bye bye to it this year.  Whoever spreads gossip betrays confidences; so don't get involved with someone who talks too much." Proverbs 20:19 

5) Do school with the girls 3 times per week-they enjoy the time spent doing it and look forward to it.  I need to make it more of a priority.

6) Delight on the Law of the Lord-I want to wake up in the morning yearning for more of Him.  More of the One who gave me another day, this wonderful life I live.  I want to have His Word dwell deeply into my soul so that it is everything I think about morning, noon, and night.  

I know that I can do this.  God can give me the strength and courage to conquer these things.  Some of them seem like huge mountains to climb, but they aren't.  

December 2016

What a whirlwind of a month!  It has been CRAAAAZY!  But in a good kind of way.

December began with a 7 day trip to Disney World.  Eventful, exhausting, lots of temper tantrums by Sally which turned into temper tantrums from yours truly.  We met lots of characters, rode lots of rides, saw every parade imaginable, and ate great food.  We did have a lot of fun.  Learned a lot about ourselves and our kids along the way.  My favorite part of Disney was seeing joy on each child's face with all the things they were excited to do.  Ava loved the parades and so she just sat in awe of it all.  Her little hand wouldn't stop waving to every single person in the parade.  It was precious.  Sally loved the rides and meeting the characters .  She enjoyed each and every one.  Evie loved being carried and cuddled close to either myself or Curtis every day, all day.  (I must admit, I loved that too, aching back and all.)

During that trip we also celebrated Ava's 4th birthday.  It was precious.  We went to 1900 Park Fare and ate with the mean stepmother and stepsisters.  They were quite funny.  We ordered a 6 inch cake for Ava.  It was super delish!  We also had some left over and sweet Ava offered some cake to the table next to us who had a young girl also celebrating her birthday!  I saw a glimpse of Ava's tender heart in that moment.  

After we got back from Disney, we had a week to unwind and get things back in order and then it was time for Sally to have her eye surgery.  Days leading up to surgery I was convinced it wasn't going to happen because Sally seemed to be getting sick and the other two were coughing and not acting well and I just knew it would her demise.  But, God protected that girl from being too sick to go into surgery.  On Monday, the 19th, she had her surgery at 12:30 and everything went splendidly.  I must say she is a funny little thing on "silly juice".  However, she is not so funny OR nice after surgery.  She was Miss Cranky pants and oh, so demanding!    

In other great news, she went to the doctor a few days later and he said her eyes were perfectly aligned!  Praise the Lord!  What a prayer answered and a great Christmas present.  

We spent the next week forcing, borderline torturing, Sally to get eye drops in her eyes.  We also made Christmas cookies, doing fun experiments with skittles, and making crafts and loving on my parents dog while they were away.  

The dress Ava wore on Christmas eve was my dress when I was 4 years old.  She was precious in it.  

 Christmas Eve was a little different.  We didn't go to my parents house since they were in Israel.  But, we went to church for the Christmas Eve service, got some french fries to eat in the car as we went around and looked at Christmas lights.  Curtis hit a mailbox and scratched the car up but other than that it was uneventful.  Then we headed home to and let the girls watch a Christmas movie while we cleaned up, read some Christmas books and went to bed.

Christmas morning was fun.  The girls got some cool stuff.  They got the Mrs. Potts tea cart, 2 remote-controlled helicopters, baking stuff, jammies, tutus and clothes, the Fishing Game, Candy Land (Disney themed),  and another game I can't remember-it is Disney themed, telescope, stuffed animals, Sophia the First toys, and some other cool stuff.  Then we headed to my sisters for a delicious lunch and some fun family time.

It was a wonderful weekend and a wonderful month.  So thankful for all the memories made and all the things we learned and all the opportunities presented to us.